Pirates Pitchers Combine for Shutout Win Against Astros

The Pittsburgh Pirates blanked the Houston Astros in a 3-0 victory on Wednesday night at PNC Park. Four Pirates pitchers combined for their seventh shutout of the season.

Pirates starting pitcher Mike Burrows pitched 5 and 1/3 innings of shutout ball in the best outing of his career thus far. Closer David Bednar notched his seventh save of the year. It was another strong pitching performance for the Pirates in a season that has been full of them.

Burrows struck out the first two Houston batters to start the game. It was an early sign of the solid start that Pittsburgh would receive from the fifth man in their rotation.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Pirates loaded the bases with three consecutive two-out walks. After a mound visit, Astros starting pitcher Ryan Gusto induced a groundout to the third baseman, successfully escaping the early jam.

Astros designated hitter Victor Caratini drove a ball into the right-center field gap for a double in the second inning, the game's first hit. A Jake Myers groundout ended that scoring threat.

Pirates manager Don Kelly successfully challenged a Tommy Pham groundout that was originally called an out at first base. After review, it was determined that Pham reached the base, and he was granted a base hit.

It did not take long for Pittsburgh to take advantage of their baserunner. The very next pitch, catcher Endy Rodriguez drilled a double down the right field line, advancing Pham to third with no outs.

Isiah Kiner Falefa hit a RBI groundout to score Pham and give the Pirates an early 1-0 lead. Then, Oneil Cruz beat out a groundball to second base for an infield single. He proceeded to swipe second base for his NL-leading 21st stolen base of the season.

Andrew McCutchen gave the Pirates their second run of the evening with a sacrifice fly to left field. The Pirates now led 2-0 after two innings.

The pressure on Gusto continued in the third inning. Jared Triolo singled, then Ke'Bryan Hayes singled to move him up to third base. Adam Frazier grounded out into a double play, but Triolo scored to make it 3-0.

Meanwhile, Burrows was cruising. He had six strikeouts in the first five innings.